The Memphis appeal. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1886-1890, 1887-09-05
Commission Submits a Report.
Their Opinion In the Case Of Web
ser w. Seeberger.
Webster Had Been a. Employe ef
the Chicago Custom House.
Tie Claims TO Have Been Discharged
Because OF His Politics.
Commtssioner Edgerton Attempts
60 Justify Collector re, her.
ger for Not Givisw Res
sons Tor His Action.


mitted to the PRECEDENT the report OF
its investigation, In April last, If the
complaint made by George A. Webster
sgainst Anthony +. seebsrger, Col
lector Of the Port OF Chicago, and
transmitted TO the President by the
Civil Service Reform Lsague OF Chi.
cago, and by him referred to the com.
mission, Charging violations Of the
civil ssrvice Jaw. Tho report consists
Of the "opinion Of tho commission
which is signed by Commissioners
0berly and Lyman; report to the
commission by Commissioner Edser-
ton, and another by Commissioner
Lyman, who conAnee himself princl.
pally 10 the testimony submitted a.
the investigation. The opinion OF the
commission. rs submitted TO the Pres.
ijent, says tina, the complaint Of Mr..
Webster lie, in substance, that he was
compelled TO resign place in the sp
prsi,er's office Of the Chicago customs
district; that this compulsion was ex.
erclsJd upon him, not b6cluse he Was
In, fiiclent, undutiiul, lnsubordinaie or
dishonest, or ior any other good cause,
hut because he WAS Republican. and
the Collector desired to put Demo-
crat into the place occupied by him.
In his letter Of complaint, Mr.. Web.
ttar says that aitOr receiving notice
that his resignation was domsnded, he
called upon the Collector aud Was in.
formed that no complaint had been
urged Fgainst his flicial conduct and
ability, which were excellent, but that,
owing to great pressure, there was q
p1hccesalty that vacancies should he
made, a1d thAt the Collector, at this
interview, said: "You must remember
that our party has been out OF power
for twenty Ave yVesr, a,ld Won ehould
bs thankful for having been Hgiowed
70 stay Two years under Democratic
Naturalization"
Webster, the opinion continues, " az
compelled TO resign. Collector See
berger replied that his request for
WebsteI's resignation lad been made
for reasono amply strong, and that he
had acted In strict conformity with
the civil service law "a he nndeis od
II. In his testimony before the com
mielion Mr.. Sc. berger denied havin,
said anything 10 Mr.. Webster thai
could be construed into q declaration
that the request for his resignation
was prompted by political Teaeons.
"The reasons for his removal" said
Mr.. Soeberser, were In my own mind
and keeping" and these no rsfused 10
state. The opinion observes that
while Mr.. SeebeTger states emphatl.
cally that he did not ray 10 Mr. Web.
ster that his resignation lad been de-
manded for political reasons, he did
not inform him that such were not
his reasons. la this connection st'en.
ton is called 10 the fact tia, Mr.. Web
eteT was rot, 70 far m the evidences
shows, given the benefit Of the law
which !, quires the heads Of executive
department., Ia making reduction Of
force, TO retain hose prrsons " may
b. equally qusliaed who have been
hononbly discharged soldiers o. sail.
om. Mr.. Webtter, Gays the opinion, Ia
an hororably q uChaigsd wounded
soldier; he PANIED the civil servics
customs examination, with an Averages
Of 90 B per cent. Ahd Tie conduct and
9, pacity hsyirg been satisfactory dur
ing his probationary tenn, be WAS abb
solutely appointed. He Was RiterS ard
promoted for faithful and efficient
service. His competency Collector
Seeberger does not deny. That Web
ster was an offensive partisan IN not
shown by thu ,fb'imony. In the sfii.
davit made by him be nWears That he
va, never politician, had never At
tended n caucus or convention No q
delegpie, aud bat onte o. u spectator
He adds: III have, however, strong,
honest, political views, which have
always held Ia quiet and gentle.
manly way, keeping always In view
the rights q olhen who might did =
with me-"
Strong political views, says tho opin.
ion, Mr.. Webster hsd right 10 enter.
tain, and during the time he held q
public place l. was his right 10 give,
A. proper tmer, strong eTpresslOn 10
those yiews. The opinion Is not 10 be
tolerated that because n man OCCUPIES
n place In the classified civil service
he must therefore surrender hls ght
20 take an interest IN the poliiioS OF
the country. No good citizen will do
40 and no degree q activity In effort
TO advance the Interest III tho party
opposed 10 the administration should,
provided hl8 partisan activity In no
way inleii ~ with his public duiifs,
render in'tcufe, In the feiyics OF the
government, The positlon oi any per
son who does not occupyla place the
discharge a the duties u which a..
iocte public p1li,Ic'. Tho opinion
1 supReaiH that II the rule which obtains
| In the Treasury Department requiring
q rpnon 10 be given for every die.
mista or forced resignation, were oh.
served 10 the admini6'T.tcn OF tho NJ.
fairs Il Ell the branches Of the CKecn.
/ tive civil service, there would he no
difficulty In arriving a. speedy sud
| definite conclusions upo1 complaints
" the KIDD under con liberation but
whie appointing Officers have the
right 10 retain within their own minds
and keepIi x the rgasons for thu 10.
movalB made by them, they may
abl6C their power with shameful i'm.
purity, and IN abuses a this kind r..
main unohallengpd.
The opinion oriliclzes what II forms
"Olu missioner Ejgerloas evident
attempt 10 justify Collector SeebtTgor
| IN his relusal 10 permit the rolrons
/ lac had for demanding Mr.. Webs ere
resignation 81 escape from his own
mind sud keeping" and the posiiIon
taken by the commissioner, that y
rule ifquirlng reasons ijr such re-.
moyaIs would 70 nit Ia the restriction
l l.. ~ L.. VWa-